Vent opening and plug for storage batteries



y 13, 1930- J. L. WOODBRIDGE 5 ,551

VENT OPENING AND PLUG FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Filed 0st. 18. 192v Patented May 13, 1930 JOSEPH LESTER WOODBRIIJGE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA VENT OPENING AND PLUG FOR STORAGE BATTERIES Application filed October 1s, 1927. Serial No. 226,870.

One object of the invention is to provide a vent opening in the cover of the cell of sufficient size for convenient filling with water or electrolyte and a'vent plug fitting this 5 opening and adapted to prevent the escape of spray while permitting the free escape of gases.

Another object of the invention is to attain the end recited by means of a comparatively inexpensive and durable construction.

To these and other ends hereinafter set forth the'invention comprises the improvements to be described in connection with the accompanying drawing and finally claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a sectional view partly in elevation illustrating a structure embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the plug taken on the line 22 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modification, and

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating another modification.

Referring to the drawing. 1 is a cell cover or closure and it bounds the interior of a cell, not shown because too well understood to require illustration.

so to Fig. 1, the cover 1 of the cell is provided with an opening having an approximately vertical wall although the opening tapers slightly outward. 3 is a vent plug fitting into the opening and having a corresponding wall 4. 5 is a recess formed in the wall of the plug at the top of the opening and it defines a channel completely surrounding the plug so that the portion of the plug above the channel is entirely out of contact with the closure or cover 1. 6 represents vertical grooves in the wall of the plug and they communicate at their lower ends with the interior of the cell and at their upper ends with the channel 5. Any spray which may be driven directly out through the vertical grooves will striln.

the overhanging surface 7 of the plug. The

fact that the vent plug is entirely out of contact with the cell closure or cover above the channel 5 is important because the collection WVith special reference 7 of moisture in capillary spaces adjacent to the upper surface of the closure or cover is avoided. If such collection of moisture occurs it would .be acidulated and coming in contact with a layer of dust or other foreign matter would creep and produce a damp area which is objectionable on the top of a battery cell.

The construction and mode of operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 3 are as above described except that the recess 5 is providedin the wall of the opening through the cover 1 instead of in the wall of the plug and except that the ledge 7 a is provided by the ends of the grooves 6.

The construction and mode of operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 4 are as above described except that the vertical grooves 6 are provided in the wall of the opening in the cover 1 instead of in the wall of the plug.

I claim:

1. In combination, a cell cover having a vent opening with an approximately vertical wall, a vent plug fitting intothe opening and having a corresponding wall, and an annular recess in one of said walls at the top of 1 the opening defining a channel completely surrounding said vent plug whereby it is wholly out of contact with the cover above the channel, and a vertical groove in one of said walls communicating at its lower end with the interior of the cell and at its upper end with the channel.

2. In combination, a cell cover having a vent opening with an approximately vertical wall, a vent plug fitting into the opening and having a corresponding wall, and an annular recess in one of said walls at the top of the opening defining a channel completely surrounding said vent plug whereby it is wholly out of contact with the cover above the channel, a vertical groove in one of said walls communicating at its lower end with the interior of the cell and at its upper end with the channel, and a horizontal ledge projecting from the vent plug over the channel above and out of contact with the upper surface of the closure.

JOSEPH LESTER WOODBRIDGE. 

